What are you looking for today? And Why are you looking at that?
These two questions are pretty simple, and remarkably unasked. Most people will tell you what they are doing that day, most people have a basic understanding of their schedule. But very few people consciously quantify why they are putting their time, emotion and mental strength into that. Consequently, our ability to achieve, be satisfied, make an impact on the world around us is minimal because we do not understand what is driving us! Everything you are doing has something motivating it, do you know what that is? Take a few minutes to ask the question.
When you don't know, you are unable actively seek it out. The result of your life will then typically be a byproduct of the culture. You can make your own judgement on if you want that, each culture is different. I live in the Land of the Free and Home of the Brave and find that the byproduct of my culture is a person enslaved to a $$, pills, entertainment and the opinions of others...no thank you...
How Do I know What Is Driving Me?
I have over simplified this in the introduction. Partly, because its not that complicated if you just yourself the question, but it can be a complex issue, based on specific individuals experience's and context. Let me give out a few ways to help you ask the question.
- Be honest with yourself - This may be a sobering question if its the first time you have asked it in a awhile. You may not really like what is motivating you currently, but Identifying it will only help you if you want to change it!
- Look at what controls your emotional state - People have different level's of emotional expression, but everyone does have them. What gets you excited or sad? Is it a specific relationships? Is it work? Success? Pleasure? Write it down on a piece of paper and look at it.
- Ask a few people around you what they think is driving your life - depending on your network of friends/co-workers/family this can be easy or difficult, regardless it's needed. Often times we carry blindspots. Or areas where we think we understand reality but really its only our perception. It's the idea that we may carry some deception about reality, the only way you know that you are deceived is if someone shows you...
these bros could use some friends helping them with their blindspots...
(Episode VIII preview just dropped...so pumped)
So what is it driving you?
Would love to hear a bit about your journey below - when did you start becoming aware of your motivation. Are you motivated by an internal fear? Did certain experiences in your life help you become aware of it? Have you found different ways to keep yourself motivated?
Thanks for reading along! Live Big Today - Make An Impact